3 bold predictions for Seahawks vs. Packers

The Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers have developed one of the league’s more compelling rivalries over the last few years.

From the Fail Mary game to the drama surrounding the end of the 2014 NFC Championship game, there’s no love lost between these two franchises as they prepare for Sunday’s showdown at Lambeau Field.

Both teams come in with huge playoff implications at stake. The Packers at 6-6 need a win to keep pace with Detroit (8-4) in the NFC North. For the Seahawks, a win Sunday coupled with a loss by the Arizona Cardinals seals up the NFC West division title.

With that in mind, here are my three bold predictions for the Seahawks in Week 14.

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Rawls doubles down

Last week, running back Thomas Rawls showed the league what Seattle’s offense can look like when the running game is hot. Rawls had 106 rushing yards and two scores, his first 100-yard game of the season. Rawls put up that impressive stat line against the Carolina Panthers and their then-number two rush defense. The Packers are allowing just 92.9 rushing yards per game, but I’m predicting Rawls shows up big again for another 100-yard game. In his last two outings, 85 of 144 rushing yards has come after contact. That’s what Seattle needs out of their back.

Mr. Wilson’s neighborhood

Sure, the Packers are 15-2 at home in December since Aaron Rodgers became the starter in 2008, but I think Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is going to upstage the Green Bay quarterback on Sunday. That may sound crazy when you take into account that Rodgers has averaged 301.9 passing yards per game over his last seven games, with 19 touchdowns and just three interceptions in that span. Wilson, meanwhile, is on pace for a career high in passing yards with 261.8 yards per game. I think Wilson will surprise a lot of people Sunday by how effective he’ll be in the passing game. He’ll put up more passing yards than Rodgers.

Defensive encore

Last week, I predicted the Seahawks defense would hold the Carolina Panthers to single digits, which they did in their 40-7 victory. While the loss of safety Earl Thomas hurts in the long-run, I think Seattle’s defense will rally around their fallen star and show up big at Lambeau. While I don’t think they’ll hold Green Bay to single digits, I do believe they’ll force Rodgers into throwing more interceptions than touchdowns.

I think the Seahawks will find their rhythm early in the game and walk away with a 27-16 win, giving them their first win in Green Bay since 1999.